I stare out of the car window as raindrops run down the glass, music blaring through my headphones to drown out outside noise. I hated this- moving away from home. Maine was the only place I could call home, now I'm being forced away from it all because my parents divorced. Through the loud music of my headphones, I can barely hear my father talking to his bitch of a girlfriend, Romy, on the phone. I hate Romy.
I begged my parents to let me stay with my mother back in Maine, but failed. Now I'm stuck in this stupid car, moving to Michigan to be stuck in the same house as my father and Romy. My father and I used to be close, spending days on the beautiful beach that we lived by, laughing as we badly sang along to songs on the radio as we raced down the country lane by our home. Our home. A place I took for granted. How I wish I made the most of that place. How I wish I spent more time with my mother, who I now have to live practically 700 miles away from.
I miss her.
"Elise," My dad calls from the drivers seat. I pretend not to hear him, pretend to have my music to loud to hear him. "Elizabeth, answer me." He says in a sterner voice. I grit my teeth to drop me from screaming, or worse- crying. I take off my headphones and put them around my neck.
"Yes, dad?" I say, stifling the emotion in my voice. My dad sighs, gripping the wheel tighter as the car speeds up on the motorway.
"I know this is hard for you, Ellie-" I cut him off, hating when he called me that. That was the name that my mother had for me, as if he's trying to replace her. He can't. "Don't call me that, dad."
My father sighs, accelerating the car in what I think is frustration. "I know this is hard for you, Elizabeth, but it's for the best." I chew on my lower lip, looking down at my lap. God, why did he have to make me feel guilty like that? I know it's for the best, but it still hurts- seeing my parents like this. So distant. So cold.
It makes me remember when I was younger and my parents were so in love. Where did it go? The love? The time? Lost in thought, I almost forget to reply to my father. "I know, dad." I mutter briefly, not wanting the unpleasant conversation to continue. I put my headphones back on, instantly greeted by the song 'No Surprises' by Radiohead. I skip the song, not wanting to feel even lower.
I turn off the music and put my headphones away before closing my eyes, my head resting back against the headrest of the seat. I listen to the gentle pattering of the rain to soothe me, or at least try to. I've always found comfort in the rain, I'm not sure why. Soon enough, the sound of rain fades and so does everything else as I fall into a deep sleep.
When I wake up, I recognise the surroundings as just outside Michigan. We're nearly there. A small sigh escapes my lips as I look down at my lap, fiddling with my fingers. I pull my phone out of my bag and go to turn it on, but stop myself when I see my reflection in the black screen. My eyes are a red and puffy from crying and there is a single teardrop collected on my cheek. I don't recall crying- I'd never cry on purpose unless I'm alone, which I'm not. I must have been crying in my sleep. Not the first time that's happened.
I just want to go home...
But I can't. I know I can't.
